Friday, January 23, 2015

Pangasinan Fruit Growers seek World Bank Aid

LIGAYEN – The mango industry in Pangasinan is getting a big boost following the selection of the United Pangasinan Tropical Fruits Multi-Purpose Cooperative as a proponent group to implement a business enterprise to be funded under a loan grant from the World Bank.

The World Bank assisted project which is in partnership with the Department of Agriculture, the local government units and the agri-fishery sector and stakeholders, is a six-year (2013-2019) program aimed to establish the government platform for a modern climate-smart and market oriented agri-fishery sector that seeks to improve the income and food security of the rural poor in the province.

In a consultative meeting held at the Capitol Resort Hotel on January 21, four mango and fruit growers have signified their intention to participate as proponent group for the implementation of the rural entrepreneurship identification and prioritization under the Provincial Community Investment Plan with the support of DA-Philippine Rural Development Program (PRDP).

Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator Benita M. Pizarro said the province has identified six major products that can be recommended to avail of the loan grant which include goat, peanut, onion, tilapia and bangus aside from the mango which was initially recommended for the program being among the lead products which Pangasinan takes pride of.

The United Pangasinan Tropical Fruits MPC is now in the preparation of the various requirements that will be needed for the approval of its loan grant from the World Bank.

The cooperative members also underwent some workshop among themselves and representatives from the provincial government and the agriculture department to thresh out the needs in order for them to meet the standards being called for.

Provincial Agriculturist Dalisay Moya said the MPC will pursue its entrepreneurial endeavor that will deal with the production and marketing of its product.

Christian Dumaguing, Business Development Specialist of the Regional Coordinating Office, said the consultative meeting is considered as a pre-implementation procedure or the first stage to determine the proponent group which will partner with the business enterprise component of PRDP.

The other proponent groups present include the Sta. Barbara Sweet Carabao Mango Association MPC, Alcala Mango Growers MPC, and San Carlos City Mango Growers and Contractors Association Inc. with different stakeholders and representatives from the various departments of the provincial government.